Calibrachoa plant named ‘DCALCOFUCH’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Calibrachoa cultivar named ‘DCALCOFUCH’ is disclosed, characterized by a mounded growth habit and day length neutral flowering. The plants flower early and abundantly. The flower has a vibrant fuchsia color with a bright yellow throat. The new variety is a Calibrachoa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Calibrachoa hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DCALCOFUCH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Calibrachoa hybrida cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Calibrachoa varieties. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during April of 2014.

The seed parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Calibrachoa ‘cv. 12-2940’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Calibrachoa ‘cv. 13-3598’. The new variety was discovered in November of 2014 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2014 crossing, in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ was first performed by terminal vegetative cuttings at a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Subsequent propagation by has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in more than 25 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DCALCOFUCH’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DCALCOFUCH’ as a new and distinct Calibrachoa cultivar:

-   -   1. Mounded habit.     -   2. Early flowering.     -   3. Day length neutral flowering.     -   4. Abundant flowering.     -   5. Vibrant flower color, fuchsia petals and a bright yellow         tube.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Calibrachoa ‘cv. 12-2940’ most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The seed parent has a trailing plant habit, the new variety         is mounded.     -   2. The seed parent flower color is dark red, flower color of the         new variety is fuchsia with a yellow center.     -   3. The new variety has a shorter internode length.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Calibrachoa ‘cv. 13-3598’ most horticultural characteristics however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The pollen parent has a trailing growth habit, the new         variety is mounded.     -   2. The new variety has a bright yellow throat not seen in the         pollen parent.     -   3. The new variety has a shorter internode length.     -   4. The pollen parent has smaller flowers than the new variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Calibrachoa ‘Danoa30’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DCALCOFUCH’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ flowers earlier than this comparator.     -   2. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ color is dark fuchsia, the comparator flower         color is light pink.     -   3. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ has a mounded habit, ‘Danoa30’ has semi-trailing         habit.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCALCOFUCH’ can also be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Calibrachoa ‘DCALNOARAS’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DCALCOFUCH’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ is less vigorous in growth than this comparator.     -   2. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ color is a different shade of bright         pink/fuchsia.     -   3. ‘DCALCOFUCH’ habit is mounded, this comparator habit is semi         trailing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DCALCOFUCH’ grown in a greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical mature flower of ‘DCALCOFUCH’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 60 days from a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DCALCOFUCH’ plants grown in greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under natural lighting. Measurements were taken during April of 2016. The plants were approximately 60 days from a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The growing temperature ranged from 15° C. to 28° C. during the days, 15° C. to 20° C. during the nights. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Calibrachoa hybrid ‘DCALCOFUCH’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 10-15 days at approximately 20° C. -   Root description: Fibrous. Colored tan and white, not accurately     measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Mounded. -   Pot size, of plant described: 13 cm. -   Height: To top of flowers: 14 cm. -   Plant spread: 30 to 40 cm. -   Growth rate: Medium. -   Branching characteristics: -   Length of primary lateral branches: 13 to 15 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: 0.2 to 0.3 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 6 to 7. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Cylindrical to Laterally compressed.         -   Diameter.—0.2 to 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Yellow-Green 146C.         -   Texture.—Hispid.         -   Strength.—Good, flexible. -   Internode length: 0.5 to 1 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 50 per branch.         -   Average length.—3.2 cm.         -   Average width.—1.2 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Acuminate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Pubescence.—Scabrous.         -   Aspect.—90 degrees.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 138B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Green 137A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B.         -   Petiole.—Length: 0.3 to 0.4 cm. Diameter: 0.1-0.15 cm.             Color: Near RHS Green 137B. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: All seasons. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: 20 to 30 days. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Individual salverform     flowers, outwardly facing. -   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 4 to 7 days. -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: About 50. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovoid.         -   Length.—0.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—4.3 cm.         -   Length.—4.3 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—1 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—0.3 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—1.6 to 1.8 cm.         -   Width.—2 cm.         -   Quantity.—5.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Apex.—Emarginated.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74A RHS.             Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74C RHS.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N74A with             Red-Purple 61A veins. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple             N74C with 61A veins. Flower throat (inside): Near Yellow 8B.             Flower throat, vein: Near Violet 85C. Flower tube (outside):             Near Yellow 8D. Flower tube, vein: Near Violet 83A. Petal             color, fading to: Near RHS Red-Purple N74B. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Lance-Shaped (lanceolate).         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.5 cm.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Yellow-Green 146A. Lower Surface:             Yellow-Green 146B. -   Peduncle: Not Relevant. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—2 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Color.—Yellow-Green 147C.         -   Orientation.—45 degrees. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—0.5 to 0.9 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Globose.         -   Color.—Near Yellow 9C.         -   Pollen.—Color: Near Yellow 9D. Quantity: Moderate. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—1 cm.         -   Style.—Length: 0.6 cm. Color: Yellow-Green 147D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Yellow-Green 147B. Ovary             Color: Yellow-Green 147D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: About 30 Brown, rounded seeds of about 0.5 mm     diameter, per one brown, conical capsule. Capsule light brown, seeds     dark brown, neither accurately measured with R.H.S. chart. -   Disease/pest resistance: Typical to known Calibrachoa varieties.     Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and     pests of Calibrachoa have been observed. Pests common to Calibrachoa     include Aphids and thrips. Typical diseases are Botrytis and     Pythium. -   Temperature tolerance: 5° C. to 30° C. -   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘DCALCOFUCH’ as herein illustrated and described. 